The diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases - X-ray examination or endoscopy

When single contrast examination and double contrast examination of the upper intestinal tract are combined, the rate of false diagnoses of X-ray studies is significantly reduced and the sensitivity of the examination procedure is increased. This is a first important step to be taken by all radiologists who can thus significantly improve the results of non-invasive X-ray examinations and reduce the application of invasive endoscopy. In extreme cases false quotients of approx. 50% have been reported. With careful examination and under application of the double and single contrast techniques, false diagnosis was found in only 10 to 20%. In a wide-ranging examination sequence in which endoscopy was performed in all negative X-ray examinations, significantly positive endoscopic findings could be established also only in 11% of the cases. In addition, a more patient and scientifically oriented analysis of this matter would help to suppress and reduce the competition between radiologists and endoscopists. (orig./MG)